The G-8 have issued their decision: Iran must respond to Javier Solana's incentive package that was approved by the so-called "five plus one" nations, at a meeting next week with Solana Read about it here. If you recall, Iran said the world would have to wait until next August for their reply. Evidently, something may have changed their mind. Let's take a look at what this "something" might be.

For a start, just who are the G-8 nations now throwing their weight behind Solana? They are a grouping of the world's eight major economies -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States.

OK. Now, who are the "five plus one" nations that supported Solana's incentive package offer to Iran? They are the five governing UN Security Council powers, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany. And, last I knew, the UN was an international body made up of 191 nations. I think I'll skip listing all these nations.

Now, who are the EU nations? Why? Because, according to this article Read it here, Solana represents this group of nations too. Let's see, the EU member states are, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and United Kingdom.

Friends, these are a lot of nations. Each individual group of nations mentioned -- the G-8, the "five plus one" governing powers of the 191 member UN and the 25 member EU -- have an awful lot of clout in the world. But, when someone succeeds in bringing them all together -- such as Solana evidently has -- we're talking about someone who has achieved almost unimaginable international stature. 

So, Iran's negotiator must meet with Solana next week.

Poor guy.